When was the last time Argentina and Colombia won the Copa América?

In the blink of an eye, only one match is left at the Copa América. It’s been a whole month of soccer games, with indelible matches and memories, but all good things must come to an end. Sixteen national teams (ten from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF) arrived in the United States intending to lift the trophy, but now, as the dust settles, only two are left. Argentina and Colombia play this Sunday, July 14, in the Copa América final, a game with stakes higher than just who lifts the trophy.

On the one hand, Argentina dreams of winning three major international titles in a row for the first time in South American soccer history, something that only Spain (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012) can boast about. On the other hand, Colombia once again puts their two-year unbeaten streak on the line. The cafeteros’ good form started in 2021 against Perú and extended to 29 games after their 1-0 win against Uruguay in the Copa América semifinals.

Let’s take a look at the last time these teams lifted the trophy.

When was the last time Argentina won the Copa América?

We don’t have to go too far for this one since Argentina are the Copa America defending champions after winning the Conmebol tournament in its last edition, held in 2021 in Brazil. Like a mirage of this 2024 competition, Argentina topped Group A with ten points and three victories (1-0 vs. Uruguay, 1-0 vs. Paraguay, and 4-1 vs. Bolivia) and a draw (1-1 vs. Chile).

They trashed Ecuador 3-0 in the quarterfinals and knocked out Colombia in the semifinals on the penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes. In the final, they beat Brazil 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro in a modern-day Maracanazo, which saw Lionel Messi lifting his first international major trophy with his national team. What’s more, Inter Miami’s attacker won the Player of the Tournament Award and shared the Golden Boot trophy with Colombian attacker Luis Díaz after scoring four goals throughout the tournament.

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When was the last time Colombia won the Copa América?

To see the Colombians’ last and only Copa América title, we must set the time machine to the early 2000s. After the 1999 Copa América in Paraguay, Colombia was set to organize the first Copa America of the new millennium in 2001 amid a public order crisis due to conflict between the government and the FARC guerrilla group. This circumstance resulted in Brazil sending only its substitutes, Argentina not participating, and Honduras replacing them only days before the start.

Colombia advanced to the next round after topping Group A with three victories (Chile, Ecuador, and Venezuela) and knocked out Perú with an overpowering 3-0 win. Francisco Maturana’s team earned their ticket to face Mexico in the final after beating 2-0 a surprising Honduras that knocked out Brazil in the quarterfinals. Colombia lifted the trophy in the capital city, Bogotá, after Iván Ramiro Córdoba scored with a header, the game’s only goal; the Sele were unbeaten throughout the tournament and didn’t concede any goals.

Who will play in the Argentina - Colombia Copa América final?

Although the starting XIs are not confirmed, both countries will likely use the same team they have used throughout the last rounds of the tournament. However, Colombia’s right-back Daniel Muñoz will miss the game after getting a red card against Uruguay.

Argentina likely starting XI: Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico; Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, Julián Álvarez.

Colombia’s likely starting XI: Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Davinson Sánchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz; Jhon Córdoba.